High freqency electrical switch and contactor system



J. F. FRESE May 18, 1937.

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND GONTACTOR SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I a W If :32

Sail L153 roar/32' J. F. FRESE 2,080,861

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTACTOR SYSTEM May 18, 1937.

. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2" Filed Aug. 5, 1933 4 INVENTOR. Q) m may? 57, cite/aw,

May 18, 1937. J. F. FRESE I 2,080,861

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTACTOR SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 I 2) w \1 26 I a; T 5

wfia i J. F. FRESE May 18, 1937.

HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTACTOR SYSTEM Filed Aug. 5, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ymvrox 6F m0 ATTORNEY Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGH FREQENCY ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTACTOR SYSTEM Application August 5, 1933, Serial No. 683,861

17 Claims.

and contactor systems for use in the control of high frequency currents.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of electrical switch and contactor system offering minimum electrical capacity and subject to minimum dielectric losses when employed for the control of high frequency currents.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in which maximum surface area is provided on the switch arm and electrical contactors for affording the maximum conductivity for high frequency currents.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an electrical switch and contactor system wherein the contactors are provided with corona shields of smoothed edge construction of such form as would materially reduce the tendency of high frequency discharge with the accompanying high frequency losses.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of high frequency electrical switch and contactor system wherein a switch arm is pivotally mounted in a fitting carried by a standard of dielectric material and shiftable under control of an automatic actuator for establishing connection with either of two electrical contactors carried by another standard formed of dielectric material, and wherein the contactors and the fitting are so positioned with respect to the standards that all mechanical stresses and strains occur longitudinally of the standards thereby relieving the standards of undesired sheer forces.

A still further object of my invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the shifting of a pivotally mounted high frequency switch arm from one contactor to another through operation of a remote control device.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of high frequency switching system in which a pivotally mounted switch arm is subjected to angular movement under control of an actuator wherein the actuator is connected through a crank to a rotary drive mechanism subject to a driving operation for predetermined time intervals from a remote control position.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a system of cams and coacting switches for predetermining the time of operation of a rotary driving mechanism electrically controlled from a remote point for automatically effecting the movement of a high frequency switch from one contacting position to another.

A further object of my invention is to provide a circuit arrangement for the control mechanism of a high frequency switch which comprises two sets of series connected switches, the switches of each set including a manually operated contactor and an automatically operated contactor in series with a power supply source and a switch driving mechanism and wherein the automatic contactors precondition each other for effectively controlling the switch driving mechanism through a predetermined time interval under initial operation of either of the manually operated contactors.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of a high frequency switching system, as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a schematic view showing the wiring employed in connection with my improved high frequency switch; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified form thereof; Fig. 3 is a front elevation; Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 9; Fig. 8 is a detailed horizontal sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. '7; Fig. 10 is a detailed perspective view of one of the channel shaped members used in connection with the circuit interrupting means; Fig. 11 is a detailed perspective view of one of the supporting members; Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the switch arm; Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the switch arm shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pivot end of the switch arm showing the mounting of the flexible current conducting cable in the end thereof; Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line l5-|5 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a front elevation of the form of my improved antenna switch illustrated in Fig. 2; Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the form of switch shown in Fig. 16 with parts broken away and shown in section; and Fig. 18 is a front elevation of a modified form of high frequency switch showing the arrangement of the switch when employed with a three-phase or three-wire system.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character I designates the base on which the parts of the high frequency switching system are mounted. Reference character 2 designates a bracket structure arranged at each end of the base in spaced relation thereto and secured by means of bolts 4 extending through spacer members 3 and secured to the brackets 2. Brackets 2 are secured to a ceiling, wall or panel structure indicated at 5. The base I is apertured in predetermined positions to receive socket members 8 which serve as supports for the dielectric standards. I employ a dielectric standard consisting of Micalex in which minimum dielectric losses occur by reason of the arrangement of the contact and pivot fittings with respect to the standards. As will be hereinafter pointed out, all mechanical stresses on the dielectric standards are produced longitudinally of the standards so that mechanical sheer stresses are reduced to a minimum. The sockets 6 are maintained in position with respect to base I by bolt members I.

The dielectric standard 8 is mounted in one of the sockets 6 and provides a dielectric support for the pivot of the high frequency switch. The dielectric standard 9 is carried in one of the socket supports and provides a mounting means for the contactors and contactor shields, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Reference character 10 designates the fitting for pivotally mounting the switch blade 16. The switch blade i6 is tubular in construction and is provided with a plug I8 in the pivoted end thereof which is apertured at IT forming a journal about the pivot which projects through the fitting iii. The fitting in is secured by means of bolt it to the upper end of the dielectric support 8. Bolt I 1 extends through the fitting l0 and through the dielectric standard 8 and engages the connecting lug 12 into which the conductor i4 extends. The switch arm i6 has flexible connector 29 connected therewith, as shown more particularly in Figs. 14 and 15, which connector forms a positive circuit connection to the connecting lug l2. as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 4 thereby avoiding the loss of high frequency currents through the pivot member of the switch and providing a path of maximum conductivity for the high frequency currents. The switch arm i5 is apertured at to provide a pivoted driving connection with the insulated arms 24. The insulated arms 24 comprise a pair of parallel extending insulated strips of Micalex or other insulation embracing opposite sides of the tubular switch arm it. It will be seen that the tubular switch arm i6 is flattened from a circular crosssection to an oval cross-section providing a large surface area for increasing the conductivity of the switch for high frequency currents. The end of the switch arm IB is flattened as represented at 2! and carries the contacts 22 thereon adapted to establish electrical connection with the contacts in the opposed stationary contact shields 55 and 58 carried by the dielectric standard 9. The insulated arms 24 which embrace opposite sides of the switch arm 16 are pivotally connected to the switch arm it by means of pin member 23 having headed ends 23adisposed adjacent the exterior faces of the insulated arms 24. In order to insure a free pivoted movement between the insulated arms 24 and the switch arm I6, I mount washer members 2% on the pin 23 between the interior faces of the insulated arms 24 and the sides of the switch arm I6. Movement is imparted to the insulated arms 24 through the pin 25 which is secured to the crank 26 by means of pin 29. The pin 25 passes through the insulated arms 24 and through spacing washers 2'! and the intermediate spacing sleeve 28. A cotter pin 30 extends through the end of the pin 25 for confining the spacing washers 21 and the spacing sleeve 28 in position on pin 25 for maintaining insulated arms 24 in predetermined relation. The crank 26 is connected to drive shaft 32 through connecting pin 3|. The drive shaft 32 is mounted on journals 33 and 34 in bracket members which are supported with respect to the base I by means of securing bolts 33:: and 34a respectively. The journal 34 is recessed at one side thereof for receiving a bushing member 35. A coupling member 36 is connected to the end of drive shaft 32 by means of pin member 31. The coupling means 36 includes longitudinal slots 36a therein which serve to engage radially disposed drive pins 38a carried by driving spindle 38. Driving spindle 38 is operated by a speed reduction gear in gear housing 39. In order to render the operation of the high frequency switch practical, I employ a gear ratio of the order of 1120-1. The mechanism. in the gear housing 39 is operated by driving motor 40. Any desired form of motor may be supplied for actuating the switch in accordance with the local power supply available. In order to insure continuous lubrication of the driving motor, I provide oil cups 40a and arrange the oil cups in that position in which oil will be continuously supplied to the motor bearings independent of the position in which the switch may be mounted in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the switch is arranged for mounting against a vertical surface.

In order to provide for the automatic control of the driving motor 49 I arrange on the drive shaft 32 a central sleeve 4| intermediate the journals 33 and 34. The central sleeve 4| is screw threaded at the opposite ends thereoi as represented at Ma and 41b. The sleeve 4! is secured to drive shaft 32 by means of iii"- metrically extending pin 42 which extends through sleeve 4! and through shaft 32. The screw threaded ends of the central sleeve M provide mounting means for the cam members 43 and 44 which are formed from insulation material. I provide separate switch systems coacting with each of the cam members 43 and 44. and 44 for effecting the operation of the switch arm Hi to either of its limiting positions with respect to the stationary contacts. The switch system 45 includes an actuating arm and a roll er 45a carried thereby. The switch system 46 includes an actuating arm and a roller 45a carried thereby. Switch arm 46 is supported with reference to a switch mounting post 41 which extends normal with respect to the base i and is secured thereto by means of securing means 48. Switch arm 46 is rockably mounted with re" spect to the switch mounting post a which passes through the aperture 460 in the switch arm. There is a slot 4% in the switch arm 45 through which the tongue 49a bracket 61- projects and serves as a guide for maintaining the position of the switch arm. The bracket 49 is mounted on panel I by means of securing screw E1). The switch arm 46 is subjected to continuous tension under the influence of coil spring 5i which acts between the cup shaped washer 46d carried by switch arm 45 and the cup shaped washer 41a carried by switch mounting post 4? and confined in position thereon by means of pin 41b.

The switch systems coact with the cams 43 i The switch arm 46 carries contact 466 on the end thereof coacting with stationary contact 53 mounted in insulating relation to other elements on base I by means of the sleeve of in sulation material illustrated at 53a. The stationary contact 53 is connected through connecting means 5-! to the motor control circuit as shown more particularly in Fig. 1. A similar, stationary contact 52 coacts with a contact carried by switch arm 45. The functioning of the switches occurs at intervals of apart by reason of the angular displacement of the cam members 43 and 44. The time interval of operation of the switch systems 45 and 46 may be regulated by varying the angular relation of the positions in which the cam members 43 and 44 are set. The opposed stationary contact shields 55 and 56 are mounted at spaced intervals on the dielectric support 9. The sides of the shields extend well beyond the positions of the contacts therein for mechanically protecting the contacts and preventing injurious results which may arise from excessive sparking or flashing during the breaking opera tion and for eliminating losses which might tend to arise by reason of corona discharge. The stationary contacts are similar in the arrangement of elements.

Connection is established with contact shield 55 through connecting lug 51 into which the end of cable 56 extends. The stationary contact shield 56 is provided with a lug 59 into which the end of conductor 60 extends. The stationary contact shields are secured to the dielectric standard 9 by means of screws l6 extending therethrough as illustrated for example at 6| in Fig. '7, wherein the headed end of one of the fastening screws passes through the bearing plate 62 against which the end of the lug 51 also bears, which plate directly abuts against the surface of the dielectric standard 9. The stationary contact shields 55 and 56 are each provided with outwardly flared jaws 63 rounded at their ends to avoid losses due to corona discharge which tends to occur when the switch is in operation in the high frequency circuits.

The contacts which are housed within each of the contact shields have been shown in detail in Figs. '7, 8, and 9. The contact shields 55 and 56 each include a socket portion 64 into which the coil spring 65 is seated in a position to continuously exert tension against the arm 66 which is pivoted at 61. The arm 66 is urged by coil spring 55 to an extreme position limited by the stop 68 as illustrated in Fig. 7. The pivoted arm 66 is provided with a boss 66a thereon for receiving the end of the coil spring 65. There is an aperture 66b through the piv- V oted arm 66 through which the shank of a contact support 69 extends. The contact support 69 carries a contact face shown at 10 with a flexible conductor H secured immediately beneath the contact I0 and attached to the contact support 69 as shown. The contact support 69 is fixed in position in the end of the pivoted arm 66 by means of headed screw 72 operating against washer 13, but may assume various angular positions in order to establish intimate contact with the movable contact 22 carried by the switch arm I6. That is to say, the shank of the contact support 69 has a curved surface which coacts with a similarly curved annular surface which surrounds the aperture 662) in the pivoted arm 66. The headed screw 12 and washer 13 are left sufiiciently loose to allow angular adjustment or self-alignment of the contact support 69 in the end of the pivoted arm 66. The flexible connector H which connects under the headed end of the fasten ing means 6| insures a good electrical connection to the connecting lugs 51 and to cable 58. While I have described one stationary con" tactor in detail, it will be understood that both stationary contactors in the opposed stationary contacting shields 55 and 56 are similar in con struction.

As shown more particularly in Fig. l, the circuit connections for the high frequency switch in-- clude a connection from antenna 14 to lead l4 which connects to the fitting l 0 on the end of the dielectric support 8. It will be observed that the fitting H] is rounded on the peripheral edges thereof so that corona discharge is reduced and accompanying losses are reduced to the minimum. The connection from the drive shaft 32 to the switch arm l6 has been shown schemati- Cally. The contacts 22 are shiftable from a position in connection with the stationary contact housed by stationary contact shield 55 to a position in contact with the shield housed by stationary contact shield 56. The lead 60 which extends from the stationary contact in stationary contact shield 56 connects to one high frequency transmitter which I have termed set #1. The lead 58 extending from the stationary contact housed by stationary contact shield 55 leads to the spare high frequency transmitter which I have termed set #2. The power for controlling the operation of the driving motor 40 is supplied from a power supply circuit connected A control switch 18 is provided The control to terminal 11. with opposed contact systems.

switch 18 has a control button 18a for moving the switch into a position connecting the antenna '34 with set #2, through lead 58. Control button 18b is provided for closing the motor circuit for operating the switch arm for disconnecting the antenna 14 from set #2 and establishing connection between the switch arm and set #1. This operation is brought about automatically by the automatic control of the limiting switches by means of cams 43 and 44. The motor 40 has one terminal thereof which is indicated at 19 connected with terminal post 86 which connects to one side of the power supply line. The motor 40 is either A. C. or D. C. operated, dc" pending upon the character of the power supply or may be of the universal type operating from either A. C. or D. C.

The opposite side of the power supply line of terminal 8| is connected to movable contactor 18a of the control switch 18. The control switch 18 has a pair of stationary contacts 18d and 180 which are connected in series respectively with the contacts 52 and 53 of the automatic control switches. As previously explained, switch arms 45 and 46 are automatically actuated for opening the circuit therethrough as the coacting roller on the switch arm is engaged by the corresponding cam. By reason of the inclusion of both the manually operated contactor and the auto matically operated contactor in the series control circuit, a condition may be brought about whereby motor 40 may be initiated in motion by operation of the manually controlled switch and shut down after a predetermined time interval by operation of the automatically controlled contactor. That is to say, in the control circuit leading to the motor, the power may be supplied to two paths and in each of these paths there are two series connected switches, one being manually operated and the other being automatically operated. The automatically operated switches are each automatically conditioned by operation of cams 43 and 44. That is, when one automatic switch is closed, after limit of travel of the switch arm, the other automatic switch is opened. The automatic opening of each automatic switch is accomplished instantaneously by reason of the construction of the cams 43 and 44. Immediately upon the closing of the manually operated switch in a certain direction, a circuit is closed through the motor 40, if the automatically operated switch in series with that particular manually controlled contactor is preconditioned by the movement of the cam mechanism. When the manually operated contact member is closed, the series circuit is completed through a coacting series connected automatic switch to the motor. The switch arms 45 and 46 are interconnected as indicated at 82 and connected, as shown at 83, to the motor. The rotation of the motor imparts movement to the reduction gear system in gear housing 29 thereby imparting movement to drive shaft 32 and angularly shifting the cam which coacts with the roller member on the adjacent opened automatic switch out of the path of the roller member which at once releases the switch arm which is restored under the action of a control spring for closing the circuit between the contact carried by the switch arm and the coacting stationary contact. In order to explain the operation more fully, it may be pointed out that the driving motor 40 is always operated in the same direction to impart movement to the reduction gear system in gear housing 29 and rotate drive shaft 32. The direction of movement imparted toswitch arm !6 is controlled by the crank 25 which rocks the actuating arms 24 about the pivot of pin 25 and about the pivot of pin 23. The cams 43 and 44 are shaped to time the instant of circuit opening through the control motor to correspond with the distance of angular movement through which the switch arm l6 must be shifted. That is to say, the driving motor 40 is operated only for that time interval necessary to effect the shifting of switch arm l6 from one contact position to an opposite contact position. By virtue of the cushioning of the stationary contacts in each of the contact shields, there is no tendency of the switch arm I6 to bind or become subject to stress or strain as an abutting connection is established between the contact carried by the end of switch arm I6 with a stationary contact which is thereafter adapted to yield as the driving motor 40 comes to rest thereby establishing a firm electrical connection. The throw of the crank is selected for imparting that amount of angular movement of the switch arm required for effecting a shift into position of the switch arm from one contact to the other.

It is believed that the operation of the high frequency electrical switch and contactor system will be clear from the foregoing description, but to recapitulate, the circuit may be traced from the manually controlled actuator '78 through the driving motor 46 in the closed position shown by noting that the power supply from source 11 passes through terminal 81, switch blade 18c, contact 186, stationary contact 53, switch arm 46, brush 83, motor 40, brush l9, returning through terminal 88 to power supply source 11. When once initiated in motion, motor 40 continues to operate for driving shaft 32, for shifting switch arm IE to the position in which contact 22 contacts with the contact in stationary contact shield 55, at which time cam 44 shifts the roller member carried by switch arm 46, opening the connection to contact 53, thereby shutting down the motor circuit. As the drive shaft 32 commenced rotation with the manually controlled actuating switch 18 in the position shown, cam 43 moved away from the roller on switch arm 45, allowing switch arm 45 to close with respect to stationary contact 52 thereby preconditioning the circuit controlled by the opposite movement of manually controlled switch 18. In order to shift switch arm IE to the opposite stationary contact the manually controlled switch 18 is operated by depressing control button 1817 which opens the circuit between switch blade (80 and contact 18c and closes the circuit between switch blade 18c and contact 7815. Inasmuch as the circuit to the motor 40 is already closed through stationary contact 52 and switch arm 45 through lead 82 to brush. 83 of motor 40 and from brush 19 to the other terminal 80 of the power supply line H, the motor 40 will be initiated in motion. The drive shaft 32 is operated in the same direction as it was before, but crank 26 having reached the 180 limit of its stroke will now tend to shift the switch arm H in the opposite direction. Switch arm l6 thereby breaks the connection established between contact 22 and the contactor in the stationary contact shield 55 and establishes connection between contact 22 and the contactor in the stationary contact shield 56. After the drive shaft 32 commenced rotation, cam 44 moved out of the path of the roller carried by switch arm 46, allowing the preconditioning of the circuit through contact 53 preparatory to the period of operation of the switch. The drive shaft 32 continues to rotate to the limit of travel of switch arm l6 whereupon cam 43 engages the roller carried by switch arm 45 and opens the circuit from switch arm 44 through contact 52, thereby shutting down the driving motor 40. It will be clear that the manually controlled actuator 18 may be located at any remote distance with respect to the switch. The switch may be employed not only to shift an antenna connection to either set #1 or set #2 but for any purpose of shifting connections from one circuit to either of two selected circuits.

The form of switch illustrated schematically in Fig. 2 embodies the same principle as that illustrated in Fig. 1 but includes a different form of switch actuator, which I have shown more clearly in Figs. 16 and 17. In this modified form of my invention I employ an electromagnetic actuator having control solenoid 84 mounted on core structure 85. The solenoid 84 is of hollow construction and attracts the pole piece 86 carried by the armature 8T. Armature 81 is pivoted at 88 with respect to the frame of the core structure 85. The armature 81 carries a fitting 90 on the end thereof on which insulated plate Si is mounted. Insulated plate 9| carries the contactor 92 which is spring pressed as represented at 93. The contactor 92 coacts with stationary contacts represented at 94 as mounted on base I for completing the circuit to the solenoid 84 and solenoid 95 as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. The solenoid 95 controls the movement of armature 96 connected to the pivotally mounted arm 91. The pivotally mounted arm 91 carries a pilot contact 98 adapted to establish connection with contact 99 carried on the resilient strip member I00 when solenoid 95 is actuated. The circuit diagram of the solenoids 95 and 84 can be traced in Fig. 2. The pivoted arm 91 carries a roller member ml which is adapted to latch over the end I02 of the armature 81 when armature 81 is moved to closed position by energization of solenoid winding 84. The resilient strip member I bridges the armature 96 and is restrained from movement in one direction by hook bracket I03. The armature 81 is spring tensioned by means of a coil spring indicated at I04 producing a continuous motion on armature 81 which tends to move armature 81 to an open position. The fitting 90 provides a support for the Micalex strip I which projects normal to the axis of the armature 81 and carries on the end thereof the switch arm I06. The switch arm I06 is not rigidly connected to the end of the Micalex strip I05 but is secured thereto in a trough shaped guide ID! by means of a coil spring I08 confined in position by a washer member I09 connected to the pin IIO as represented at III. A fiexible electrical conductor II2 extends from a binding post II4 on switch arm I06 and connects to a binding post II5 carried by the extremity of the Micalex dielectric standard II6 mounted on base I, as shown. A lug III is secured to the standard II6 by means of binding post II5 as shown and provides a connection for the condnctor II8 thereby establishing a circuit to the moving. switch arm in a manner which affords maximum conductivity to high frequency currents. I provide a standard H9 formed from dielectric material such as Micalex and mounted on base I in a manner similar to the mounting means heretofore described. The standard II-9 provides a support for the contactor bracket I and the contactor bracket I2I as shown. The contactor bracket I20 provides mounting means for the contact member I22 which is angularly rockable with respect to the contactor, bracket I20 under control of the screw device I23. The contact member I22 is connected through flexible lead I24 to the binding screw I25 which also serves to support the contact bracket I20 with respect to: the standard H9. The lug I26 which is secured by the binding screw I25 to the standard II'9 provides a connection means for the conductor I21 secured therein. The bracket I2I prov-ides a mounting means for the contact member I28 which is angularly rockable in bracket I2I under control of the screw device I29. A flexible strip I30 provides a connection between contact member I28 and binding screw I3I which also serves to mount the bracket I2I in position on the standard H9 and provide a mounting means forthe lug I32 into which the conductor I33 is arranged to extend. The switch arm I06 bends at a slight angle at the extremity thereof and carries a contact I34 thereon adapted to establish electrical connection with the contact member I22 in one extreme position of the switch arm I06. A contact member I35 is mounted on the opposite side of the switch arm I06 in alignment with the contact member I28 for establishing connection therewith in the other extreme position of the switch arm I06 as has been illustrated in Fig. 17.

The circuit connections to the operating elements of the switch are shown schematically in Fig. 2, the elements being numbered tocorre spond with" the arrangement of parts in Figs. 16 and 17 for explaining the operation of the switching system. The power supply circuit 11 connects to the switch actuator under control of the hand actuator I8 in a manner similar to that described in the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1. It will be observed that the high frequency contact system is well isolated from the electromagnetic actuator. The portions of the switch subjected to the passage of high frequency currents are so formed that minimum capacity is encountered and maximum conductivity of the high frequency currents with minimum losses is assured.

The high frequency switch of my invention is capable of extension to employ any number of units. I have shown in Fig. 18 the switch of my invention applied to a three-phase or a threewire system wherein driving motor operates. the drive shaft 32 for rotatably driving crank 26 W1 ich imparts motion to extensions I36 from the crank pin to the insulated actuating arms 24 for driving the several switch arms I6 which coact with sets of cc-ntactscarriedby independent standards, as shown. The several parts of the circuits are isolated from each other and are simultaneously controlled by the operation of the timing motor.

I have found the high frequency switch and contactor system of my invention highly practical in its construction and efficient in its operation, and while I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of I the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system, a base, standards of dielectric material supported by said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, a pair of contactors carried by another of said standards, contacts carried by said switch arm adapted to establish electrical connection with either of said contactors, and a motor driving system operative through a crank and lever mechanism for shifting said switch arm about the pivotal connection thereof for establishing contact between the contacts on said switch arm and either of the aforesaid contactors.

2. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system, a base, standards of dielectric material supported by said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, av pair of contactors carried by another of said standards, contacts carried by said switch arm adapted to establish electrical connection with either of said contactors, means for shifting said switch arm about the pivotal connection thereof for establishing contact between the contacts on said switch arm and either of the aforesaid contactors, and corona shields disposed about each of said contactors and forming housings into which said switch arm is adapted to move in establishing and breaking electrical connection with respect to said contactors.

3. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system, a base, standards of dielectric material supported by said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, a pair of contactors carried by another of said standards, contacts carried by said switch arm adapted to establish electrical connection with either of said contactors, an insulated actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm intermediate the pivotal connection between said arm and said fitting and the contacts on the end of the arm, and a motor system for driving said insulated actuating arm for moving said switch arm from a position in which the contacts thereon selectively connect with either oi said contactors.

4. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system, a base, standards of dielectric material supported by said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, a pair of contactors carried by another of said standards, contacts carried by said switch arm adapted to establish electrical connection with either of said contactors, an insulated actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm in a position intermediate the pivotal connection of said switch arm with said fitting and the contacts carried by the end of said arm, and a motor device for driving said insulated actuating arm during the intervals required for disengaging the contacts on said switch arm with one contactor and establishing engagement between the contacts on said switch arm and the other of said contactors.

5. A high frequency electrical switch and contactor system comprising a base, a pair of dielectric standards supported in spaced relation on said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, contacts carried by the opposite end of said switch arm, a pair of contactors supported by the other of said standards and disposed in the path of the contacts on said switch arm, a corona shield including a pair of outwardly flared jaws forming a housing for each of said contactors, and means for angularly shifting said switch arm to a selected contactor.

6. A high frequency electrical switch and contactor system comprising a base, a pair of dielectric standards supported in spaced relation on said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, contacts carried by the opposite end of said switch arm, a pair of contactors supported by the other of said standards and disposed in the path of the contacts on said switch arm, a corona shield including a pair of outwardly flared jaws forming a housing for each of said contactors, and an insulated actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm for angularly shifting said switch arm from one of said contactors to the other.

'7. A high frequency electrical switch and contactor system comprising a base, a pair of dielectric standards supported in spaced relation on said base, a fitting carried by one of said standards. a switch arm pivotally mounted in said fitting, contacts carried by the opposite end of said switch arm, a pair of contactors supported by the other of said standards and disposed in the path of the contacts on said switch arm, a corona shield including a pair of outwardly flared jaws forming a housing for each of said contactors, an insulated actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm, a crank having a pin pivotally connected with the other end of said insulated actuating arm, and means for driving said crank to an angular distance of substantially 180 for efiecting an angular movement of said switch arm from one of said contactors to the other.

8. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in combination with an angularly shiftable switch arm and contact, a contactor system, said contactor system including a corona shield having a pair of spaced jaws between which the switch arm and contact carried thereby is adapted to move, a member pivotally mounted between said jaws, an abutment extending between said jaws and forming a limiting stop for said member, spring means for continuously urging said member against said stop, and an anguiarly adjustable contact element carried by the end of said member.

9. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in combination with an angularly shiftable switch arm and contact, a contactor system, said contactor system including a corona shield having a pair of spaced jaws between which the switch arm and contact carried thereby is adapted to move, a member pivotally mounted between said jaws, an abutment extending between said jaws and forming a limiting stop for said member, spring means for continuously urging said member against said stop, an angularly adjustable contact element carried by the end of said member, means for supporting said corona shield and a flexible connection extending between said supporting means and the adjustable contact carried by said member.

10. A high frequency electrical switch and contactor system comprising a base, a pair of standards supported by said base, a switch arm pivotally mounted at one end with respect to one of said standards, contacts carried by the other end of said switch arm and contactors carried by the other of said standards and projecting in the path of the contacts on said switch arm, an insulated actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm, and means including a. motor and crank mechanism connected with said actuating arm for shifting said switch arm from one of said contactors to the other and establishing engagement between said contacts and said contactors while confining all impact stresses in directions coincident with the longitudinal axes of said standards.

11. In a high frequency electrical switch, a. base, a pair of socket members mounted in spaced relation in said base, each of said socket members including a recess, a dielectric standard extending into the recess in each socket member, a pair of contactors mounted in spaced relation on one of said dielectric standards, a switch arm pivotally mounted on one end with respect to one of said dielectric standards, an insulating actuating arm pivotally connected with said switch arm, and means including a motor and crank mechanism connected with said actuating arm whereby said switch arm is angularly shiftable in position for establishing connection with the contactors carried by the other of said dielectric standards.

12. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in combination with an angularly shiftable switch arm and contact, a contactor system, said contactor system including a corona shield having a pair of spaced jaws between which the switch arm and contact carried thereby is adapted to move, and a member disposed between said jaws and constituting an electrical contact and an abutting means for the contact on said switch arm.

13. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system in combination with an angularly shiftable switch arm and contact, a contactor system, said contactor system including a corona shield having a pair of spaced jaws between which the switch arm and contact carried thereby is adapted to move, and a resilient member disposed between said jaws constituting an electrical contact and a resilient abutting means for the contact on said switch arm.

14. In a high frequency switch, a dielectric standard, a contact carried by said standard, and a switch member movable to a position connecting or disconnecting said contact While restricting the strain in said standard substantially to a longitudinal direction.

15. In a high frequency switch, a dielectric standard, contacts supported by said standard, and a switch member movable between said contacts in a manner limiting said dielectric standard to strain substantially in a longitudinal direction.

16. In a high frequency electrical switch and contactor system, a base, a standard of dielectric material supported by said base, a contact carried by said standard, a switch arm movably mounted with respect to said contact and carrying a contact adapted to establish electrical connection with the said contact on said support, and operative means connected with said switch arm and adapted to move said switch arm with respect to said standard in such a manner that the contact on said switch arm abuts the contact on said standard in a direction substantially parallel with said standard whereby the strain in said standard is confined substantially along the longitudinal axis thereof.

17. In a high frequency switch and contactor system, a base, a standard of dielectric material supported by said base, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced and facing relation on said standard, operative means mounted on said base, a switch arm connected with said operative means and adapted to be moved thereby between the contacts on said standard, and contacts on said switch arm adapted to close electrical circuits through the contacts on said standard, said operative means being maintained in position with the switch arm in either of its closed circuit positions, said switch arm and the contacts on said standard being so constructed and disposed that the mechanical stresses in said standard with the switch arm in either closed circuit position are confined substantially along the longitudinal axis of said standard.

JOSEPH F. FRESE. 

